The document summarizes the research and design process for creating an indie music magazine targeted at 18-25 year olds. The creator researched different music magazine genres and conventions to choose an indie focus. Research found this age group spends money on music downloads, concerts, and magazines. The front cover features an artist from a working class background to connect with that audience. The contents and additional pages feature stories, reviews, and artists that provide escapism, allow relationship building, share information, and foster audience identity in line with uses and gratifications theory. Attractive female artists are featured to attract both male and female readers as per Naomi Wolf's beauty myth theory.

1. Attracting an
audience

2. Research
Before I started the task of creating my magazine, I researched
various music magazines conventions. I researched different
kinds od music magazines for example Indie, Pop and Rock
before choosing mine. I went with the genre of Indie as I felt an
Indie magazine covers a range of different artists. During my
research I found that people between the ages of 18-25 spend a
small proportions of their income on music downloads, concert
tickets and magazines. I also found magazines use more than
one style of fonts and different colours. In my magazine I used 3
different colours and a few different fonts. I researched into
audience needs and magazine conventions meant I could create
an eye catching and aesthetically pleasing design with stories
that would appeal to my audience.

3. Front cover
My target audience can connect
with the artist used on the front
page as the main story. The
model is also used more during
other pages of my magazine. The
story proves that anything is
possible as he is from a working
class background therefore
working class people can connect
with him. My model is dressed in
a similar manner to his fans who
can relate to him and who will
want to buy the magazine .

4. Contents Page

5. Double Page

6. Uses and Gratifications
How does my magazine meet all 4 needs of the uses and
gratifications theory?
Escapism
Music magazines can provide an escape from everyday lives. I
feel my magazine has achieved this as my magazine has stories
which the audience can get involved with. My magazine will be
entertaining and provide my target audience with enjoyment.
Personal relationships
People will read my magazine and be able to discuss the
magazine content with friends. My magazine has a website
which allows more access to the magazine and can create
relationships between people. They can use the web message
board to talk about the magazine with people all over the world.
My magazine can create relationships between people.

7. Information
My audience from reading my magazine will find out information
about reviews, latest gigs festivals and artists. I have based my
storylines and contents on my research. It links with the need
and conventions of a successful magazine for audiences.
Identity
I feel my audience will be able to connect or aspire to be like on
of the artist used. I also feel they can connect through their
music tastes which is Indie music and become VIBE readers.
The magazine will then become pat of their lives. I have included
Indie artists to appeal to my target audience. My audience will be
able to relate to these artists, especially the cover artists. I have
followed conventions and created a recognisable house style to
make my magazine an iconographic brand.

8. Naomi Wolf
The Beauty Myth -1990
Naomi Wolf’s theory is that
beauty is said against women in
the industry. It is said attractive
women are used on certain parts
of the magazine to attract a
female audience. I have two
females featured in my magazine
which are both in my contents
page. This will attract a larger
female audience and also attract
males as she is an attractive
woman.